Book Resources

Books for Children, Teens and Adults

Ages 0-3

This is How We Became a Family: An Adoption Story: By Wayne Willis (Author)
An adoption story for children of all ages. It tells of a couple who long for a child, of a pregnant young woman who is not ready to be a mother, and of the events that bring them together for a happy ending. It also invites children to ask questions about their own adoption story.

Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby: By Judy Freudberg (Author)
Big Bird tries hard to be helpful when a new baby arrives on Sesame Street.

Ages 2-5

I Don’t Have Your Eyes (Asia): By Carrie A. Kitze (Author)
Family connections are vitally important to children as they begin to find their place in the world. For transracial and transcultural adoptees, domestic adoptees, and for children in foster care or kinship placements, celebrating the differences within their families as well as the similarities that connect them, is the foundation for belonging.

The Family Book: By Todd Parr (Author)
The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.

A Mother for Choco: By Keiko Kasza (Author)
Choco was a little bird who lived all alone. He wished he had a mother, but who could his mother be? "Just right for the preschool group or beginning reader."

The Day We Met You: By Phoebe Koehler (Author)
A special picture book for ages 2-5, The Day We Met You explores a couple lovingly preparing their home for an adopted baby. "Adopted children love to hear their homecoming stories over and over, and this is a perfect book to encourage such retellings."--School Library Journal. Full-color illustrations.

The New Barker in the House: By Tomie de Paola (Author)
The Barker twins, Morgie and Moffie, meet their adopted brother, Marcos, in this wonderful sequel to Meet the Barkers. But Marcos isn't a baby-he's three years old, and he only speaks Spanish. As Marcos plays dollies with Moffie and dinosaurs with Morgie, he's a little bewildered until he gets the twins to understand what he likes to play. As Marcos learns some English, the twins quickly learn some Spanish words and phrases. Soon enough it's clear that with a new Barker in the house, the Barkers are a very happy familia!

I love You Like Crazy Cakes: By Rose Lewis (Author)
This story of a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl, based on the author's own experiences, is a celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the home. Full color.

Ages 3-6

Through Moon and Stars and Night Sky: By Ann Warren Turner (Author)
A little boy living in a distant country is lonely. He needs a bed of his own, a room of his own, a house of his own -- and most of all, a momma and poppa of his own. But he must travel far to get them. He must fly for a day and a night through blue skies and clouds and stars before he comes to a place he can call home... with his loving new adopted family.

A China Adoption Story: Why Mommy Do We Look Different (China): By Frances M. Koh, Ann Sibley O’Brien (Authors)While looking through the family photo album, four-year-old Laura Shu Mei notices that she looks different from her parents, and asks her mother why

Carson’s Story: A Story About Adoption from China: By Richard Bosby (Author)
This story conveys a father's perspective about adoption. To this end, the often complex adoption process is simplified to help moms and dads describe "what happened" to their children. Mr. Busby says "It is a picture book, designed as a vehicle to gently explain how families come together through adoption." In sharing his personal story, the author hopes to provide a starting point for discussions between other parents and their daughters from China.

Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story (China): By Carol Antoinette Peacock, Shawn Costello Brownell (Authors)
Young Elizabeth feels a range of emotions as she learns that she has two mommies: one in China and one in America. Her adoptive mother explains that although her Chinese mother loved Elizabeth and wanted to keep her, she couldn't because of China's laws.

The White Swan Express: A Story About Adoption (China): By Jean Davies Okimoto, Elqine M. Aoki, Meilo So (Authors)
In China, the moon shines on four baby girls, fast asleep in an orphanage. Far away in North America, the sun rises over four homes as the people who live there get ready to start a long, exciting journey. This lovely story of people who travel to China to be united with their daughters describes the adoption process step by step and the anxiety, suspense, and delight of becoming a family. Told with tenderness and humor, and enlivened by joyous illustrations, The White Swan Express will go straight to readers’ hearts. Afterword.

We’re Different, We’re the Same: By Bobbi Jane Kates (Author)
Illustrated in full color. The colorful characters from Sesame Street teach young children about racial harmony. Muppets, monsters, and humans compare noses, hair, and skin and realize how different we all are. But as they look further, they also discover how much we are alike.

How I Was Adopted: Samantha’s Story: By Joanna Cole (Author)
millions of families -- the story of how she was adopted. Most of all, it's a story about love. And in the end, Sam's story comes full circle, inviting young readers to share stories of how they were adopted.

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born: By Jamie Lee Curtis (Author)
A young girl asks her parents to repeat the cherished tale she knows so well about her birth and adoption. Told from the child's point of view, the story and pictures are full of fun details. On the plane down to get her, "there was no movie, only peanuts." When carrying her home, her parents "glared at anyone who sneezed." Under the silliness in both the text and illustrations, there lies a strong message of the parents' love for this new baby girl.

Love You Forever: By Shelia McGraw (Author)
"I'll love you forever / I'll like you for always / As long as I'm living / My baby you'll be." Since Love You Forever was first published in 1986, millions of parents have lulled their children to sleep with these affectionate words. This picture book will widen the influence of this soothing message.

A Koala for Katie: By Jonathan London, Cynthia Jabar (Authors)
"Katie, a young adoptee, is curious about babies and where they come from. . . . Jabar's brightly colored illustrations add a coziness to London's reassuring text. A good choice for the parenting shelf, this will be most useful with preschoolers who have learned of their own adoptions."--Booklist. Full color.

King & King & Family (gay/lesbian): By Linda de Hann, Stern Nijland (Authors)
The Crown Kitty and Friends Cordially Invite You to Celebrate a Royal Wedding, Reception to follow in the Royal Gardens, Bring Lots of Presents

Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Thread: By Karen Acres (Author)
An adoption storybook which depicts the flight of Little Miss Ladybug, a good luck omen, and her magical red thread, which is a ancient Chinese belief. "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break"

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale (Central/Latin America): By Karen Katz (Author)
An affirming story about international adoption, based on the author's own experience with her daughter. A magical, reassuring story of one adoptive family's beginnings, told in words and pictures that are just right for the youngest child. 

Ages 4-8

Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers and Beyond: By Christine Mitchell (Author)
Finally....a book that genuinely celebrates a young child joining their forever family past infancy. With its touching message of love and reassurance, and whimsical illustrations, Welcome Home, Forever Child is sure to be cherished by children and parents alike. While best suited to children ages two to eight, this gem will undoubtedly be enjoyed by older children as well.

Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption: By Steven L. Layne, Jan Bower (Authors)
Driven by love, nourished by hope, and sustained by faith, thousands of families adopt children internationally. A unique opportunity for every reader to take part in an intimate family journey and to witness the shared joy of relatives and friends upon a homecoming.

Families are Different: By Nina Pellegrina (Author)
An adopted Korean girl discovers that her classmates have different types of families.

The Little Green Goose (for adoptive dad’s): By Adele Sansone (Author)
When a male goose longs for a chick of his own, he borrows an egg and ends up with a baby dinosaur!

Adoption is For Always: By Linda Walvoord Girard (Author)
Although Celia reacts to having been adopted with anger and insecurity, her parents help her accept her feelings and celebrate their love for her by making her adoption a family holiday.

Horace: By Holly Keller (Author)
Horace, a leopard, is the adopted son of tiger parents. Every night, at bedtime, Mama tells him how he came to be their child. But Horace always falls asleep before the story ends. As Horace grows older, he begins to wonder whether he belongs -- really belongs -- with his adopted family. He runs away. When Mama and Papa find him, Horace is glad. And that night, as he goes to sleep, he provides his very own ending to the story he has heard so often.

Rosie’s Family-An Adoption Story: By Lori Rosove (Author)
Rosie's Family is a story about belonging in a family regardless of differences. Rosie is a beagle who was adopted by schnauzers. She feels different from the rest of her family, including her brother, who is the biological child of her parents,and sets forth many questions that children who were adopted may have.

Our Baby From China: An Adoption Story: By Nancy D’Antonio (Author)
With simple text and lovely photographs, Nancy D'Antonio tells about the adoption of Ariela Xiangwei. To learn about the land their new daughter comes from, the author and her husband travel to China.

Poor Marta (Guatemala): By Clair Boggs (Author)
Based on a true story about a little girl from the Guatemalan highlands who finds her new family. Part of the Mama Clarita series of adoption tales.

The Red Blanket: By Eliza Thomas (Author)
A touching and beautiful adoption story that reveals the challenges as well as the joys of forming a new family.

You’re Not My Real Mother: By Molly Friedrich (Author)
After an adoptive mother tells her daughter all the reasons that she is her "real mother," the young girl realizes that her mother is right, even though they do not look alike.

We See The Moon: By Carrie Kitze (Author)
An elegant and evocative book for adopted children to open the birthparent and adoption dialog between parent and child.

Danielle, Where Are You? (Vietnam): By Cindy Roberts (Author)"Danielle, Where Are You?" is an adoption story written for young children ages three to eight years old. It is a true story told in fairy tale form, with colorful, imaginative illustrations and lively text. Enjoy visiting many foreign lands while searching for Danielle. This book was specially written to help explain adoption to young children.

When I met You-A Story of a Russian Adoption (Russia): By Adrienne Eldert Bashista (Author)
Based on the author's family's experience, this book describes a child's life before and after she was adopted from Russia. From scenes in the orphanage to the child’s Russian birthmother, this is one of the first children’s picture books to chronicle the special background of children adopted from Russia. Delicate watercolor illustrations perfectly compliment this poetic and heartfelt text. When I Met You is a celebration of the joy that adopting a child brings to a family.

Borya and the Burps-An Eastern European Adoption Story (Easter Europe): By Joan McNamara (Author)

Nikolai, the Only Bear (Russia/Eastern Europe): By Barbra Joosse (Author)
There are one hundred orphans at the Russian orphanage, but Nikolai is the only bear. He growls when he speaks and claws the air when he plays. "Play nice, Nikolai," the keepers say. No one wants to take Nikolai home. Until one day, when a fur-faced man and a smooth-faced woman come to visit from America. They growl with him and play with him, and sing songs that make him feel soft-bearish. And when it's time for them to go home, Nikolai knows that he has found the right family at last.

Chinese Eyes (China): By Marjorie Ann Waybill (Author)
An adopted Korean girl gets a lesson in how unimportant it is that some people think she is different.

Avery Aardvark Finds Hope: By Donna O’Toole​ (Author)
A Read-Aloud Story by Donna O'Toole for people of all ages about loving and losing, friendship and hope. Aarvy Aardvark's family have all been taken far, far away to a place called "Zoo." Aarvy is so sad and upset that he can't eat or sleep. In fact, he is so full of despair and hopelessness that he just wants to die. Ralphy Rabbit, who befriends Aarvy, helps Aarvy learn about the strengths within himself.

Siblings

Ages 4-8

Jin Woo: By Eve Bunting (Author)
David likes his family the way it has always been, just him and Mom and Dad. He never wanted to be a big brother. And he certainly didn’t want Jin Woo, the little baby from Korea, to join the family. Now Jin Woo is getting all the attention, and David feels as if no one cares about him anymore. But then a surprising letter helps him to understand that being a brother can mean being surrounded with more love than ever.

Waiting for May: Children’s Story About Adoption: By Janet Morgan Stoeke (Author)
In this beautifully rendered tale, a young boy eagerly anticipates the arrival of his new sister, who is living in China and waiting to be adopted by his family. As the weeks pass by, his excitement builds until, one day, the family receives a photo of the new baby. How wonderful! but they must wait until May to go to China to meet her and bring her home. in honor of this, the family decides to name her May. And then—at last—the waiting for May is over, and they are finally able to bring their new baby home. timely and meaningful, this beautiful adoption story captures the anticipation and immense joy of welcoming a new baby.

Just Add One Chinese Sister: An Adoption Story: By Patricia McMahon (Author)
Claire and her mother are working together on a scrapbook as they relive their first days and hours together following Claire's arrival from her birth home in China. Claire's big brother, Conor, had kept a journal as he anticipated the day his new sister would arrive, and these entries also become part of their book of memories. They remember how, at first, Claire was scared of her new parents and brother, who all spoke a different language than she was used to hearing. But these foreigners loved the adopted Claire, and little by little, they shared experience that brought them together and made them into a family.

Seeds of Love: For Brothers and Sisters of International Adoption: By Mary Ebejer Petertyl (Author)
Adding a new baby to the family is an exciting time for young children. It can also be a stressful one -- especially if you're a young child whose parents will be traveling abroad without you to complete an international adoption.
Lovingly written and beautifully illustrated, Seeds of Love gives parents fun and practical ideas for easing their children's anxiety prior to international adoption travel.

My Mei Mei (China): By Ed Young (Author)
More than anything else in the world, Antonia wants a Mei Mei, little sister, to call her own. But when she and her mother and father fly all the way to China to get her little sister and Antonia finally meets her, she is not at all like Antonia imagined her: She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She just cries and steals attention. But is her Mei Mei all that bad? This charming personal story from Ed Young follows a little girl as she learns what being a big sister is all about, and discovers the real meaning of family.

Teens

Adopted Teens Only-A Survival Guide to Adolescence: By Dabea Gorbbett (Author)
All adopted teens have questions-questions about their adoptive family, about their birth parents, and about how adoption has affected and will continue to affect their lives. But not every adopted teen knows how to approach these questions or how to handle the intense emotions and high stress often associated with them.This guide has answers. Based on true stories, extensive research, and Danea Gorbett's own in addition to her background in psychology and education, Adopted Teens Only delivers:Suggestions for bringing up sensitive topics with all types of adoptive parentsInsight on what your adoptive parents might be going throughTrue stories of birth mothersPractical information on whether and how to search for birth parentsSeasoned advice on what to expect and how to prepare for reuniting with a birth parent.Gorbett offers confirmation that what you feel, think, wonder, and worry about as an adopted teen is normal and important, and she helps you acknowledge and celebrate the unique gifts and many advantages of growing up adopted.Comforting, empowering, and ultimately practical, Adopted Teens Only is the indispensable survival guide for adopted adolescents and anyone who loves them.

Adoption Today: By Ann E. Weiss (Author)
In Adoptions Today, Ann E. Weiss explores the issues and controversies surrounding adoption and presents a history of the subject from ancient times to the modern day. The result is a clear, unbiased picture of adoption, past and present. Among the questions the author raises: Why did public attitudes toward adoption change so dramatically in the early twentieth century? What were the reasons for the secrecy that shrouded most adoptions until only a few years ago? Why are interracial and international adoption rates growing so rapidly? What are the implications of such adoptions for parents and children? How does the adoption process work?

YELL-Oh Girls! Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity, and Growing Up Asian American: By Vickie Nam (Author)
In this groundbreaking collection of personal writings, young Asian American girls come together for the first time and engage in a dynamic converstions about the unique challenges they face in their lives. Promoted by a variety of pressing questions from editor Vickie Nam and culled from hundreds of submission from all over the country, these revelatory essays, poems, and stories tackle such complex issues as dual identities, culture clashes, family matters, body image, and the need to find one's voice.

Parents

Are Those Your Kids? American Families with Children Adopted from Other Countries. Talking with Young Children About Adoption: By Mary Watkins, Susan Fisher (Authors)
This book, designed to help adoptive parents, as well as professional counselors and therapists, deal with questions youngsters ask about their adoption, contains revealing conversations between parents and their children, aged two to 10, from 20 families of all kinds--single, lesbian and interracial, among them. Psychologist Watkins ( Waking Dream ) and psychoanalyst Fisher (coauthor of To Do No Harm ) are themselves adoptive mothers. Stressing that "the adoptive family integrates diversity," and that "children come into families in different ways," the authors seek to prepare parents to acquaint children with their origins through frank talk, stories and play. The children's contribution in the book shows them ready to face reality, for the most part; their comments are probing, humorous and touching.

Real Parents, Real Children: Holly Van Gulden (Author)
Required reading for adoptive families, those considering adoption, or professionals in the field. This practical, informative book covers topics of vital importance to adoptive parents with sensitivity and insight. The authors bring years of experience to the complex emotional issues that parents will negotiate, and expert advice on establishing a healthy, loving parent-child relationship.

Raising Adopted Children: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent: By Lois Ruskai Melina (Author)
In this completely revised and updated edition of Raising Adopted Children, Lois Melina, editor of Adopted Child newsletter and the mother of two children by adoption, draws on the latest research in psychology, sociology, and medicine to guide parents through all stages of their child's development. Melina addresses the pressing adoption issues of today, such as open adoption, international adoption, and transracial adoption, and answers parents' most frequently asked questions.

Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents: By Deborah D. Gray (Author)
Proper attachment is the most fundamental issue in a successful adoption, but what exactly does the term mean? Attaching in Adoption answers that question thoroughly, and it provides solutions to a variety of specific attachment problems.
Along with technical explanations of challenges such as self-esteem, childhood grief, and limit-testing, the book includes a tremendous number of personal vignettes illustrating attachment-related situations. Parents who are convinced that only their child has ever behaved a certain way are sure to take comfort in these stories; not only do they include kids from all backgrounds and age groups, but each has an ultimately happy ending. The emotional health of the whole family is also paramount according to the book--with plenty of rest and "alone time," caregivers are more likely to be emotionally available when they are most needed.

Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow: By Gregory Keck, Regina Kupecky (Authors)
The world is full of hurt children, and bringing one into your home can quickly derail the easy family life you once knew. Get effective suggestions, wisdom, and advice to parent the hurt child in your life. The best hope for tragedy prevention is knowledge! Updated and revised.

Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families With Special-Needs Kids: A Guide for Parents And Professionals: By Gregory Keck, Regina M. Kupecky (Authors)
Without avoiding the grim statistics, this book reveals the real hope that hurting children can be healed through adoptive and foster parents, social workers, and others who care. Includes information on foreign adoptions.

Adopting A Toddler: What Size Shoe Does She Wear?: By Denise Harris Hoppenhauer (Author)
Finally, a childcare book written with the unique needs of adopted toddlers in mind. Written by an adoptive parent, Adopting A Toddler: What Size Shoes Does She Wear? is an indispensable guide to the wonderful world of toddler adoption. Filled with essential parenting information, Adopting a Toddler answers many questions that parents ask, including questions about changing a name, choosing a crib versus a bed, beginning potty training, and what size shoes to buy. Adopting a Toddler is easy to read and covers every aspect of adopting a one to four year-old; with sections on the toddler wardrobe, the nursery, child safety, mealtime, bath time, selecting a pediatrician, medical considerations, international adoption travel, pre and post adoption resources, and more.